Blog and Events

The Liberty Tattoo Removal Program, run by the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, Inc., received a generous for $3,500 donation from the Church for Life in Santa Maria. The Liberty Tattoo Removal Program provides free laser tattoo removal treatment clinics to low-income community members with anti-social, gang related and visible tattoos in exchange for community service at local non-profits.

Musicians provided amazing sounds to go along with the majestic setting:

Cadillac Angels

Chasing Audrie Duo

Choro de Oro

Green to White

Gypsy All Stars

Ranchers for Peace

Special thanks to Joan Gellert Sargen for being an event sponsor for the third year and to Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers for also being an event sponsor. Our event host was Don Shidler and the event could not have happened without his support. The support of our sponsors and underwriters made it possible for all event revenue to provide no cost services to thousands of vulnerable community members:

Breakaway Tours and Event Planning

Cannon Associates

Coast 101.3 (El Dorado Broadcasting)

Edward Jones, David Gaddis

Jay and Carol Devore

iii Design

Bill Gaines Audio

New Times

San Luis Ambulance

The Sun

Tolosa Press

Carl Weber

Purveyors who gave of their time and amazing talents:

Ancient Peaks Winery

Baileyana Winery

Baker and Brain Wines

Big Sky Café

Black Horse Expresso & Bakery

Blue Sky Bistro

Castoro Cellars

Chamisal Winery

Clairborne & Churchill Vinters

Cottonwood Canyon

Cracked Crab

Jack Creek Cellars

Edna Valley Vineyards

Filipponi Ranch

Firestone Walker Brewery

Frockling Frog Winery

Gardens of Avila Restaurant

Gerald’s Olde Tyme Chocolates

Honey Bee Cakery

J Lohr Winery

Jaffa Café Mediterranean Cuisine

Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards

Kenneth Volk Winery

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

Novo Restaurant & Lounge

Opolo Vineyards

Paella Party SLO

Peachy Canyon Vineyard

Peloton Cellars

Penny’s All American Café

Sage at Vista Grande

Saucelito Canyon Winery

Sculpterra Winery

Seaside Café & Bakery

Shell Beach Brewhouse

Splash Café

Stephen Ross Cellars

Still Waters Vineyard

Sweet Alexis Bakery

Tablas Creek Vineyards

Tahoe Joe’s Famous Steak House

Tap It Brewing Company

Testa Catering

The Groves on 41

The Muffin Goddess at the Cliff’s Resort

Trader Joe’s

Upper Crust Tattoria

Wolff Vineyards

Zorro’s Café & Cantina

Purveyor Awards for 2015:

Best Beverage: Chamisal Winery

Best Food: Shell Beach Brewhouse

Best Confectioner: Gerald’s Olde Tyme Chocolates

Best Display: Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

A final thank you to those who purchased tickets and supported the Health & Prevention Division services.

See you all next year on Sunday June 5, 2016 for the 29th Afternoon of Epicurean Delights.

"Cardboard Stories" is a film by Rethink Homelessness, a non-profit located in Central Florida that wants to change the way the world sees the homeless. Each of the homeless clients CAPSLO homeless services works with has a unique and often surprising story, too. Recently Heather, a CAPSLO Shelter Worker, reflected on the many clients who are employed yet still need shelter as they get back on their feet:

The cashier ringing up our groceries. The guy making our sandwiches during the lunch hour rush. The bartender serving up drinks until 2 am. The bus driver making his rounds in the city. The single mom sitting next to us in class at Cuesta College.

These are not the people that typically come to mind when we envision who the homeless in our community are, but the Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter (MLM), at least for a brief time, has been home for each one of these hard working individuals.

Working while homeless brings its own set of challenges. One young adult, the bartender, gets to shelter after 3 am, less than 3 hours before lights at MLM come back on. Another gentleman, the bus driver, wakes up at 4 am to start his early morning bus routes. They are fortunate enough to have jobs and a path out of homelessness, but working and using shelter services for showers, meals, a place to sleep, and support from staff as they work towards returning to a home of their own is not always easy. Shelter services run on a tight schedule, everyone contributes to the shelter upkeep through the completion of chores, and there is little privacy when you are sharing a dormitory with 49 other people. At MLM, staff are constantly inspired by the hard work and perseverance clients exhibit while maintaining a job or staying in school.

Because homeless individuals and families that are served by MLM don't necessarily "look homeless," it can be easy to forget that many of the people navigating homelessness in the community will be homeless for three months or less and really just need temporary support while they get back on their feet and into a home of their own. Every time a client no longer needs MLM services it is a victory hard won, and staff are so grateful to be a part of the path back to self-sufficiency.

You can make a difference for SLO County's homeless men, women, and children by making a donation to our summer fund drive for the Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter, volunteering, or donating items off of our needs list:

The 28th annual Afternoon of Epicurean Delights (AED) will be celebrated on Sunday, June 7th. This spectacular event will be held from 11:30 to 3:30 on the tranquil and picturesque grounds of the historic Chapman House by the Sea, nestled on the bluffs of the Pacific Ocean in Shell Beach. Proceeds benefit the Health & Prevention Division of Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, which provides medical, educational & advocacy services for over 10,000 under-served families, women, men and youth throughout our county.

Guests at the event are invited to stroll through the serene gardens, take in the panoramic ocean views, and sit poolside while tasting food and beverages from SLO County's most renowned and award winning restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries, and confectioners. Guests will also enjoy a variety of live music and can participate in a silent auction with items featuring local art, hand-crafted jewelry, premium and reserve wines, get-away weekends, gift baskets, and much more.

Fifty four of the most renowned food and beverage purveyors will be participating in the event.

Tickets can be purchased through 6/4 by calling The Health & Prevention office at (805) 544-2498.

Tickets can be purchased through 6/5 at the Arroyo Grande & Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets can be purchased through 6/6 at Crushed Grape and the SLO & Pismo Beach Chambers of Commerce.

This year there will be two shuttle stops with three shuttles running to bring you to the event!

Parking in the neighborhood surrounding event is limited to Shell Beach residents only. If you don't live in Shell Beach you must take the shuttle from either Shell Beach Elementary School or Pismo Beach City Hall.

Shuttles will start at 11:00 am and run until 4:00 pm. Thanks for taking the shuttle, as this will help to not impact the Shell Beach community.

We recommend that your print or obtain a ticket in advance, so that you will not have to wait at will-call. Click the link above to buy tickets. Ticket outlets: Crushed Grape in SLO, SLO, Arroyo Grande & Grover Beach & Pismo Beach Chambers of Commerce.

If you have questions please call the Afternoon of Epicurean Delights office at (805) 544-2498.

The Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, Inc is gathering public input for the development of its 2016-17 Community Action Plan. This plan takes a broad look at the needs of and resources available lower income families and individuals throughout San Luis Obispo County.

We want to hear from you about what you think the most urgent issues are! Please join us to share your feedback:

What are the significant issues that low-income families/individuals face?

Are services available to meet the needs?

What additional services are needed?

A Spanish speaking translator will be present to provide assistance to monolingual speaking participants.

If you are unable to attend, you may email comments to ddornan@capslo.org OR mail comments to: Community Action Partnership - Planning Division, 1030 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401